Honey market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

Honey production in Côte d'Ivoire showed gradual growth from 610 t in 2018 to 619 t in 2021, before stabilizing around 618 t in 2022-2023. This upward trend was supported early on by a shift toward modern movable-frame hives and projects funded by PPI, which aimed to generate alternative income and conserve biodiversity. The overall market volume, however, peaked at 672 t in 2021 and then fell to 611 t by 2023, as increased exports redirected supply abroad.

A key driver of production growth was the entry of new market players. In 2021, the company Colonie was established with the goal of producing 100% Ivorian honey, deploying 350 hives across six cities and launching innovative products like ginger honey. This expansion, alongside the growing market leader Apinome, which strengthened production, processing, and distribution, helped meet rising local demand for natural, traceable honey.

The decline in domestic market volume after 2021 coincided with a sharp rise in exports, which reached 66 t in 2023. This export surge was linked to growing international demand for Ivorian honey, as noted in sector reports. Concurrently, the apiculture sector saw increased structuring efforts, including technical recommendations for beekeepers and legislation setting rules for hive placement and business registration, which began to shape a more professionalized industry.

Production honey in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Côte d'Ivoire increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 611.6 tonnes of honey, which remained nearly unchanged from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports honey from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, kg

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2018 and then climbed to their maximum in 2020, representing a 12.3-fold increase. In 2020, foreign honey supplies from Côte d'Ivoire amounted to 10 351 kg, marking a sharp improvement of 518.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 843 kg, with the largest decline that year at 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (51.8% of exports in kind), Mali (21.9% of exports in kind), and Morocco (5.2% of exports in kind) accounted for the largest share of exports in kind, together comprising 78.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Honey deliveries from Côte d'Ivoire increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 8.5 thousand US dollars, up by 124.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 266.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (37.3% of exports in value terms), Qatar (9.1% of exports in value terms), and Morocco (7.9% of exports in value terms) were the principal destinations for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 54.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports honey to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire imported a total of {value_last_year} kg of honey, which is 43.0% above the year-over-year figure. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 75.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France (50.9% of imports in kind), Spain (11.6% of imports in kind), and Lebanon (9.1% of imports in kind) were the principal destinations for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 71.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, imported honey volumes in Côte d'Ivoire reached 252.0 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp advance of 45.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 75.4%, equating to a 20.6% annualized rate. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, two leading markets—France and Spain—together accounted for 80.6% of total imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020